Article dispenser



Aug. 30, 1966 J. DI DOMENICO ETAL ARTICLE DISPENSER Filed Oct. l2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In z/ez tons.'

Joseph ,D z'amen z'ca, Manif MeZZz/'az Aagys.

3,269,596 ARTICLE DISPENSER Joseph Di Domenico and Frank Mellion, Providence,

RJ., assignors to .Io-Dee Corp., Warwick, RJ., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Uct. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 403,680 3 Claims. (Cl. 221-107) The present invention rela-tes .to a dispensing device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for dispensing small oblong parti-cles, wherein the articles are located in ver-tical stacks in the device and are individually moved to a dispensing position upon manual operation of an actuating assembly.

The present invention is adapted to be displayed on a counter or the like and has particular `application in the dispensing of small oblong articles that are located in a magazine assembly in stacked relation. The magazine assembly of the present invention is unique in that it includes a front section and a rear section, each of the sections being adapted to receive a plurality of the articles in stacked relation therein. The article disposed at the lowermost end of each of the stacks engages an article receiving platform in which a slot is formed. Movable within 4the slot is an actuating assembly that is adapted to be moved into engagement with the rearmost surface of the lowermost article .of the rear section. Since the magazine sect-ions are separated by an intermediate wa-ll except at the lowermost ends thereof, a space is dcned between the article rece-iving platform and the lolwer edges of the intermediate lwalls. Thus, when the actuating assembly is pivot-ally moved to engage the lowermost article in the rear section, this article will be moved in a forwardly direction. Forward movement of the lowermost article in the rear section by the actuating assembly moves this article into engagement with the lowermost article in the front section, thereby urging the lowermost article in lthe front section t-o a dispensing stat-ion. Simultaneously with the dispensing of the article from the front magazine section, the lowermost article in the rear section is moved into the vaca-ted space in the front section and assumes the lowermost position therein. Since the lowermost article in the front section has been replaced, the level of the stack of articles therein is maintained, and this level of the yart-icles in the fron-t section will be retained throughout the dispensing of the articles from the rear section. Hence the articles in the front section will be dispensed only `after the articles in the rear section are dispensed therefrom. Since the articles in the front magazine section are normally visible by the customer, the device will appear to be full with merchandise even after many of the articles have been dispensed from the rear magazine section.

In one form of the invention the actuating assembly is operated by the r-otation of a shaft that is actuated by depressing an operating handle. In a modifie-d form of the invention the actuating assembly is opera-ted by linear movement of a handle that is operatively interconnected to the shaft on which actuating ngers are mounted.

It is therefo-re an object of the present invention .to provide a device for individually dispensing small articles therefrom.

Ano-ther object of the invention is to provide an article dispensing device, wherein articles to be dispensed are locate-d in vertical stacks and are moved individually to a dispensing station upon manual manipulation of an actuating assembly by the operator of the device,

Still another `object is to provide an article dispensing device, wherein each article in a magazine section is individually presen-ted to a dispensing station while the remaining articles in a second magazine section are effec- Patented August 30, 1956 tively retained l:in vertically stacked relation within the device.

Still another object is to provide a dispensing device that includes a multiple section magazine assembly, e-ach of the sections containing a stack of articles therein, the articles in the rear section of the magazine assembly being dispensed prior to the dispensing of the articles in the forward section thereof.

Still another object is to provide a dispensing device having a multiple section magazine assembly wherein articles located in a forward section of the assembly are maintained at a constant display level during the dispensing of the articles located in the rear section.

Still another object is to provide Ia dispensing device for small articles that .is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

Other objects, features an-d advantages of the invention will become obvious as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention;

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the dispensing device embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the dispensing device shown in FIGS. 1 land 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the bottom por-tion of the dispensing device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and further illustrating the beginning of the dispensing opera-tion;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view similar to FIG. 4 showing the position of the articles upon completion of the dispensing operation.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing a modi-tied form of the dispensing device; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the modified dispensing device illustrated i-n FIG. 6.

Referring noxw to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, one form of the article dispensing device embodied herein is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. The dispensing device 10 includes a base generally indicated at 12, a magazine assembly generally indica-ted at 14 that is joined -to the base 1 2 and that extends upwardly with respect thereto, and an actuating assembly mounted on the base 12 and that is generally indicated at 16.

The base 12 is dened primarily by opposed, vertically extending side walls 18 and 20 that are substantially identical in configuration and that have a modified bell shape as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Horizontal supporting feet 22 and 24 are joined t-o the side walls 18 and 20, respectively, and cooperate therewith to retain the dispensing device in a substantially stable position. In orde-r to positively locate the yopposed side walls 18 and 20 of the base 12, a plurality of horizontally extending spacer rods 26 are provided and are secured to the inner surfaces of the walls 18 and 20, thereby locating these walls in proper spaced-apart relation.

Joined to the walls 11S and 2U that deiine the base 12 and extending upwardly in vertical relation with respect thereto are side walls 30 an-d 62 that are formed as part of the magazine assembly 14. The magazine assembly 14- is formed in two sections and includes a forward magazine section 26 and a rearward magazine section 28, both sections 26 and 28 being adapted to -receive the articles to ibe dispensed therein. Since it is contemplated that all of the material parts of the dispenser be fabricated from plastic materials, the side wall 18 of the base is integrally joined to the side wall of the magazine assembly, thereby `form-ing a unitary construction therewith. Similarly the iWall of the base forms a one-piece construction with a side wall 32 of the magazine assembly. It is understood that the integral construction of the side walls of the magazine assembly with respect to the base side walls simplies the manufacture and assembly of the dispensing device.

Molded as an integral part of the side walls 30 and 32 of the magazine assembly are reduced forward walls 34 and 36 that are located in spaced-apart relation as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Also joined t-o the side walls 30 and 32 and located in parallel spaced relation with vrespect to the shortened front walls 34 and 36 are shortened rear walls 38 and `40 respectively. The spaced walls 34, 36, 40 cooperate with the side walls 30 and 32 to define the forward magazine section 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the lowermost edges of the walls 34, 36, and 38, 40 are vertically spaced from horizontal walls 42 and 44 to form an article receiving slot therewith. As will hereinafter `be described, the vertical spacing of the walls of the forward section 26 from the walls 42 and 42 is required since the articles within the forward section 26 must be moved outwardly of the magazine assembly `14 to a dispensing station during the dispensing operation of the device.

lIn order to properly space the side walls 30 and 32 of the magazine assembly 14, horizontal spacer rods 46 are provided, and as shown in FIG. 3 are located substantially intermediate the ends of the side walls 30 and 32, and in engagement therewith. The rear magazine section 28 is formed in a manner similar to magazine section 26 and is defined by the side walls 30 and 32 and spaced forward walls 48 and 50 and spaced rear walls 52 and 54. It will be observed that the forward walls 48 and 50 of the rear magazine section 28 are located in spaced relation with respect to the rear walls 38 and 40 of the front section, this spacing providing 'for placement of the rods 46 in position between the side walls 30 and 32 of the magazine assembly.

As will be described, the lowermost article in the rear section 28 is transferred to the lowermost position in the front section 26 during the dispensing operation. For this purpose, it is necessary that the lower portions of the magazine sections be l-ocated in close relation. Thus as shown particularly in FIG. 3, the lower portion of the rear magazine section 28 is disposed immediately adjacent to the front magazine section 26. For this purpose the rear walls 52 and 54 and -front walls 48 and 50 of the rear section 28 are provided with shortened inclined portions. The inclined portions of only the rear walls are joined to vertical extension 52, S4 that continue vertically downwardly therefrom. As further seen in FIG. 3, however, the forward walls 48 and 50 of the rear section 28, in this area are defined by the rear walls 38 and 40 of the front section 26. As previously described, the purpose of locating the lower portions of the magazine assembly walls in close relation is to position the articles in the magazine sections in immediate adjacent relation so that the dispensing operation may be effectively carried Out.

In order to provide for the ldispensing fof the articles from the forward and rear magazine sections 26 and 28, the articles are placed therein in stacked relation on an article receiving platform that is defined by the article receiving walls 42 and 44. As shown in FIG. 1, the walls 42 and 44 are joined to the side walls 18 and 20 respectively of the base 12, and are located in spaced-apart relation to define a slot therebetween. As illustrated rnore clearly in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the portion of each article receiving ,wall that is located below the forward magazine section 26 is slightly elevated with respect to the rear portion thereof. This elevation of the article receiving walls 42 and 44 in the area indicated, also elevates the lowermost article in the forward section 26. As will be described, the slight elevation of the lowermost article in the forward Section insures that forward movement of the lowermost article in the rearward magazine section will properly engage the article in the forward magazine section without interfering with the lower edges of the walls 38 and 40. As further shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the lwalls 42 and 44 extend forwardly with respect to the magazine assembly to define an article receiving platform represented by the inclined walls 56 and 58. The side walls 18 and 20 of the base further include projecting portions 68 and 62 on which stops 64 and 66 are mounted, the stops 64 and 66 being further joined to the `walls 56 and 58 respectively and extending perpendicularly with respect thereto. As shown in FIG. 5, the space defined between the stops 64 and 66 and the raised portion of the article receiving walls 42 and 44 is dimensioned to just receive one of the articles to be dispensed. This area further defines an article dispensing station from which an article is removed by the customer.

In order to dispense the articles from the device, the actuating assembly 16 is provided and includes spaced actuating lingers 68 and 70, each of which is formed with arcuate surfaces 72 and 74 respectively. The actuating fingers 68 and 70 are adopted to be pivoted during the dispensing operation and for this purpose are secured to a shaft 76 that is mounted for rotation between the walls 18 and 20 of the base. Spacing rods 78 locate the actuating fingers 68 in proper spaced-apart relation, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the actuating fingers 68 and 70 are sufficiently spaced such that upon pivoting or rotating movement thereof, they will be received within the space defined between the article receiving walls 42 and 44. This enables a contact edge, represented at 80 in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, of the actuating fingers 68, 70 to engage the rearmost surface of the article located at the lowermost position in the rear magazine section 28.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the shaft 76 is rotated by a handle indicated at 82 that is formed with a hub 85 and that is securely mounted on the end of the shaft 76. The handle 82 includes a finger grip 84 and is normally maintained in a substantially vertical position that defines the inactive position of the actuating fingers 68, 70. A spring 86 is provided for retaining the handle 82 in the normal upright position and as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 includes an end 88 that engages the lower forward spacer rod 24, and another end that engages the hub of the actuating finger 68. Since the spring 86 is received on the shaft 76, the location of the ends 88 and 90 as illustrated will normally retain the handle 82 inthe upright position.

Prior to the dispensing operation, -the forward section 26 of the magazine assembly is lled with articles represented by the letter F in the drawings. Similar articles are deposited in the rear magazine section 28 and are represented by the letter R. Assuming that the magazine sections 26 and 28 are filled with the articles as indicated in FIG. 3, the dispensing operation is carried out by moving the handle 82 in a forward direction -as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4. Movement of the handle 82 in the manner as indicated, rotates the shaft 76 which produces a corresponding rotation or pivotal movement of the actuating fingers 68 and 70. The contact edges 80 of the actuating fingers 68, 70 are then moved into engagement with the rear surface of the lowermost article R1 in the yrear magazine section 28. Continued movement of the handle 82 causes the actuating fingers 68, 70 to move the article R1 into engagement with the rear surface of rthe lowermost article F1 in the forward magazine section and to then displace this article as illustrated in FIG. 4. It is seen that the space defined by the lowermost edge of the walls 38 and 40 and the article receiving walls 42 and 44 provide for the movement of the article R1 in a forwardly direction. As the actuating fingers 68 and 70 continue their rotating movemint, the arcuate edges 72 and 74 thereof define arresting surfaces that move beneath the next article R2 and prevent this article from descending into engagement with the article receiving walls 42 and 44. Continued forward movement of the article R1 forces it beneath the article F2 in the forward section 26 while the article F1 is simultaneously moved to the dispensing station. The article R1 is now located in the forward section 26 and will be moved t-o the dispensing station in the next dispensing operation. After each dispensing operation, the article that is moved to the dispensing `sta-tion, will, of course, be removed therefrom by the customer or opera-tor of the device.

It is seen that as each dispensing operation is carried out, the rearmost stack of articles or those located in the rear magazine section 28 are successively moved to the article dispensing station. During the dispensing of the articles from the rear magazine se-ction 28 the -articles in the forward magazine section 26 a-re maintained at a constant level since the lowermost article in the rear stack is always moved to the lowermost position in the forward stack. This serves the purpose of giving the impression that the device is full with merchandise since the forward section faces the customer. Upon depletion of the articles in the rear section 28, and if additional articles are not placed therein, the sta-ck of articles in the forward section may then \be dispensed by the operation -as just described. In this connection, it is understood that the handle 82 will be depressed more forwardly and the actuating fingers 68 and 70 will be moved within the slot between the 4article receiving walls 42 and 44 to engage the lowermost article in the forward stack to propel it to the article dispensing station. As illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 5, the handle 82 must be depressed more forwardly in order that the actuating fingers 68 and 70 be moved into engagement with the lowermost 4article in the forward section.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a modified form of the invention is illustrated, the modification being directed to an alternative structure for producing rotation of the shaft 76 and the actuating fingers 68 and 70 operatively connected thereto. Instead of providing the handle 82 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, an actuating rod 92 is employed and is lpivotally connected to a disk 94 at a pivot point 96. The disk 94 is secured to the shaft 76 so that upon rotation of the disk 94 a corresponding movement of the shaft 76 will result. It is seen that linear movement of the actuating rod 92 will rotate the disk 94 and produce a corresponding rotation of the shaft 76. In order to provide a stop for 4the rod 92 and to prevent undue lateral movement thereof, the rod 92 is provided with a slot 98 which receives a pin 100. The pin 100 is secured to a plate 102 that is joined to the side wall 18 of the base, and it is seen that the movement of the actuating rod 92 will be limited by the length of travel of the pin 100 within the slot 98. In operation of the actuating mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the actuating rod 92 is moved inwardly to produce rotation of the disk 94 and the shaft 76. The actuating fingers 68 `and 70 are then moved in the manner as previously described to produce a dispensing of the articles within the magazine assembly sections.

While there is shown and described herein cer-tain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications -and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept, and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described, except, insofar as indicated 'by the scope of the appended claims.

Whaft is claimed is:

1. In a device for dispensing small articles therefrom, a base including an article receiving station and a dispensing station located adjacent to said article receiving station, a magazine assembly joined to said base above said article receiving station and projecting upwardly with respect thereto, said magazine assembly being defined by a forward section and a rear section, each of said sections receiving a single stack of articles therein, the lowermost article in each stack being received on said article receiving station, means for separating said magazine sections except at fthe lowermost ends thereof, wherein a space is defined at said article receiving station that provides for transfer of the lowermost article in said rear section to said forward section, and means for engaging said lowermost anticle in said rear section for movement thereof to said forward section and simultaneously moving the article in said forward section to said dispensing station, wherein the articles in said forward section are maintained at a constan-t level until all of the articles in said rear section are dispensed therefrom, said dispensing station including a forward stop against which the `article moved into the dispensing station is engaged, said stop locating the article engaged therewith such that it is readily accessible for removal from said device and further locating the article engaged therewith such that the article next moved to the lowermost position in the forward section is disposed in engagement therewith, thereby preventing further dispensing of said 'articles until the anticle located at said dispensing station is removed therefrom.

2. In a :device for dispensing small articles as set forth in claim 1, said article receiving station being dened by bottom walls having a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion being slightly elevated with respect to said rear portion so as to elevate the lowermost article in the forward magazine section with respect to the lowermost article in the rear magazine section, wherein the article in the rear section properly engages the article in the forward section without interfering with the lower edges of the means separating said sections durin-g the dispensing operation.

3. In a device for dispensing small articles therefrom, a base including an article receiving station and a dispensing station located adjacent to said article receiving station, a -magazine assembly joined to said base above said article receiving station and projecting upwardly with respect thereto, said magazine assembly being defined by a forward section and a rear section, each of said sections receiving a single stack of articles therein, the lowermost article in each stack being received on said article receiving station, means for separating said magazine sections except at the lowermost ends thereof, wherein a space is defined at said article receiving station that provides for transfer of the lowermost article in said rear section to said forward section, and means for engaging said lowermost article in said rear section for movement thereof to said forward section and simultaneously moving the article in said forward section to said dispensing station, wherein the articles in said forward section are maintained at a constant level until all of the articles in said rear section are dispensed therefrom, said article receiving station being defined by bottom walls having a forward portion and a rear portion, the forward portion being slightly elevated with respect to said rear portion so as to elevate the lowermost article in the forward magazine section with respect to the lowermost article in the rear magazine section, wherein the article in the rear section properly engages the article in the forward section without interfering with the lower edges of the means separating said sections during the dispensing operation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 544,968 8/ 1895 Dennis 221266 546,583 9/1895 Dennis 221-266 1,141,781 6/1915 Dickson 221-266 1,574,834 3/1926 MacGregor 221-276 1,648,813 11/1927 Kelly 221--108 3,114,476 12/1963 Clark 221-268 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner. WALTER SOBIN, Examiner. 

1. IN A DEVICE FOR DISPENSING SMALL ARTICLES THEREFROM, A BASE INCLUDING AN ARTICLE RECEIVING STATION AND A DISPENSING STATION LOCATED ADJACENT TO SAID ARTICLE RECEIVING STATION, A MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY JOINED TO SAID BASE ABOVE SAID ARTICLE RECEIVING STATION AND PROJECTING UPWARDLY WITH RESPECT THERETO, SAID MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY BEING DEFINED BY A FORWARD SECTION AND A REAR SECTION, EACH OF SAID SECTIONS RECEIVING A SINGLE STACK OF ARTICLES THEREIN, THE LOWERMOST ARTICLE IN EACH STACK BEING RECEIVED ON SAID ARTICLE RECEIVING STATION, MEANS FOR SEPARATING SAID MAGAZINE SECTIONS EXCEPT AT THE LOWERMOST ENDS THEREOF, WHEREIN A SPACE IS DEFINED AT SAID ARTICLE RECEIVING STATION THAT PROVIDES FOR TRANSFER TO THE LOWERMOST ARTICLE IN SAID REAR SECTION TO SAID FORWARD SECTION, AND MEANS FOR ENGAGING SAID LOWERMOST ARTICLE IN SAID REAR SECTION FOR MOVEMENT THEREOF TO SAID FORWARD SECTION AND SIMULTANEOUSLY MOVING THE ARTICLE IN SAID FORWARD SECTION TO SAID DISPENSING STATION, WHEREIN THE ARTICLES IN SAID FORWARD SECTION ARE MAINTAINED AT A CONSTANT LEVEL UNTIL ALL OF THE ARTICLES IN SAID REAR SECTION ARE DISPENSED THEREFROM, SAID DISPENSING STATION INCLUDING A FORWARD STOP AGAINST WHICH THE ARTICLE MOVED INTO THE DISPENSING STATION IS ENGAGED, SAID STOP LOCATING THE ARTICLE ENGAGED THEREWITH SUCH THAT IT IS READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR REMOVAL FROM SAID DEVICE AND FURTHER LOCATING THE ARTICLE ENGAGED THEREWITH SUCH THAT THE ARTICLE NEXT MOVED TO THE LOWERMOST POSITION IN THE FORWARD SECTION IS DISPOSED IN ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, THEREBY PREVENTING FURTHER DISPENSING OF SAID ARTICLES UNTIL THE ARTICLE LOCATED AT SAID DISPENSING STATION IS REMOVED THEREFROM. 